Netters open season with doubleheader on Friday

November 7, 2014

FAYETTEVILLE –The University of Arkansas women’s tennis team opens its 27th spring season with a Friday doubleheader at home against Oral Roberts University and Missouri State Universityat noon and 5:00 p.m., respectively, at the Dills Indoor Tennis Center.

The Lady Razorbacks are coming off one of its strongest fall seasons in recent memory that included an ITA Central Regional Championship crown in both singles and doubles and a trip to the ITA National Indoor Championships by freshmen Ela Kaluder and Aurelija Miseviciute.Kaluder and Miseviciute had to defeat teammates sophomore Maryori Franco and senior Karina Ledaja in the ITA Central Regional final match to earn the doubles crown.

“Our fall results were outstanding,” Arkansas head coach Michael Hegarty said. “But it seems that we finished stronger than we had played all semester, which gives us confidence that our spring will be another step forward for us.”

In the opening match on Friday, the Lady’Backs look to win their 12th consecutive season opener against ORU.Last year, the Lady’Backs drummed the Golden Eagles without surrendering a single game in singles.All-time the Lady’Backs are 7-3 against ORU.

In the second half of Friday’s doubleheader, Arkansas takes on a short-handed Missouri State squad.Arkansas shut out the Bears on its way to the best start in Lady’Back tennis history.Arkansas is a perfect 27-0 against Missouri State all-time.

“This weekend we are looking to test our sharpness,” Hegarty said.“It should be a good one.”

Admission is free to both matches.For more information on Arkansas women’s tennis or any other Lady’Backs sport, please visit LADYBACKS.COM.